Like Water for Chocolate – Literary Lens Essay
For your final assessment, you will select one of the following prompts pertaining to the literary lenses. This will be a formal, take-home essay, including a sophisticated introduction with a distinct and provable thesis statement, well-developed body paragraphs that are supported by smoothly-integrated direct evidence from the text, and a meaningful conclusion.
Formalist prompt:
Food and its preparation is a central organizing metaphor in Like Water for Chocolate. Discuss the symbolic significance of cooking as it is developed over the course of the novel and explain how the working out of this conceit reinforces the main message of the novel’s conclusion.
Psychological prompt:
Tradition is an indispensable force in the functioning of any human society. Without tradition, we would have to invent a meaning for each new situation. What is the role of tradition in the interactions of the De la Garza family? In Like Water for Chocolate would you describe tradition as a net force for self-actualization of the individual or for repression? What is the novel’s message regarding tradition?
Feminist prompt:
What is it to be a good woman? Like Water for Chocolate presents several models for strong, powerful or otherwise influential women in terms of its developed characters: Mama Elena, Rosaura, Gertrudis and Tita. Which of these characters is the best feminist, in your view, as supported by the textual evidence? Be sure and define your terms in the course of your essay.
Archetypal prompt:
There are repeated magic incidents and dream-world or fairy tale-like descriptions of events in Like Water for Chocolate. How does the frequent resorting to “magical realism” shape the reader’s experience of this novel and connect it to a larger romantic pattern or idea?
Due dates:
Prewriting - ______
First draft - ______
Final draft - ______
Like Water for Chocolate – Literary Lens Essay Test
Answer one of the following questions in formal essay form. Your essay must include a thoughtful introduction with a distinct and provable thesis statement, well-developed body paragraphs that are clearly supported with the text, and a meaningful conclusion. Use your time wisely and refer to specifics from the novel as appropriate.
Formalist prompt:
Food and its preparation is a central organizing metaphor in Like Water for Chocolate. Discuss the symbolic significance of cooking as it is developed over the course of the novel and explain how the working out of this conceit reinforces the main message of the novel’s conclusion.
Archetypal prompt:
There are repeated magic incidents and dream-world or fairy tale-like descriptions of events in Like Water for Chocolate. How does the frequent resorting to “magical realism” shape the reader’s experience of this novel and connect it to a larger romantic pattern or idea?
Like Water for Chocolate – Literary Lens Essay Test
Answer one of the following questions in formal essay form. Your essay must include a thoughtful introduction with a distinct and provable thesis statement, well-developed body paragraphs that are clearly supported with the text, and a meaningful conclusion. Use your time wisely and refer to specifics from the novel as appropriate.
Psychological prompt:
Tradition is an indispensable force in the functioning of any human society. Without tradition, we would have to invent a meaning for each new situation. What is the role of tradition in the interactions of the De la Garza family? In Like Water for Chocolate would you describe tradition as a net force for self-actualization of the individual or for repression? What is the novel’s message regarding tradition?
Feminist prompt:
What is it to be a good woman? Like Water for Chocolate presents several models for strong, powerful or otherwise influential women in terms of its developed characters: Mama Elena, Rosaura, Gertrudis and Tita. Which of these characters is the best feminist, in your view, as supported by the textual evidence? Be sure and define your terms in the course of your essay.
Like Water for Chocolate – Literary Lens Essay Test
Answer one of the following questions in formal essay form. Your essay must include a thoughtful introduction with a distinct and provable thesis statement, well-developed body paragraphs that are clearly supported with the text, and a meaningful conclusion. Use your time wisely and refer to specifics from the novel as appropriate.
Archetypal prompt:
There are repeated magic incidents and dream-world or fairy tale-like descriptions of events in Like Water for Chocolate. How does the frequent resorting to “magical realism” shape the reader’s experience of this novel and connect it to a larger romantic pattern or idea?
Psychological prompt:
Tradition is an indispensable force in the functioning of any human society. Without tradition, we would have to invent a meaning for each new situation. What is the role of tradition in the interactions of the De la Garza family? In Like Water for Chocolate would you describe tradition as a net force for self-actualization of the individual or for repression? What is the novel’s message regarding tradition?
Like Water for Chocolate – Literary Lens Essay Test
Answer one of the following questions in formal essay form. Your essay must include a thoughtful introduction with a distinct and provable thesis statement, well-developed body paragraphs that are clearly supported with the text, and a meaningful conclusion. Use your time wisely and refer to specifics from the novel as appropriate.
Formalist prompt:
Food and its preparation is a central organizing metaphor in Like Water for Chocolate. Discuss the symbolic significance of cooking as it is developed over the course of the novel and explain how the working out of this conceit reinforces the main message of the novel’s conclusion.
Feminist prompt:
What is it to be a good woman? Like Water for Chocolate presents several models for strong, powerful or otherwise influential women in terms of its developed characters: Mama Elena, Rosaura, Gertrudis and Tita. Which of these characters is the best feminist, in your view, as supported by the textual evidence? Be sure and define your terms in the course of your essay.
Like Water for Chocolate – Literary Lens Essay Test
Answer one of the following questions in formal essay form. Your essay must include a thoughtful introduction with a distinct and provable thesis statement, well-developed body paragraphs that are clearly supported with the text, and a meaningful conclusion. Use your time wisely and refer to specifics from the novel as appropriate.
Formalist prompt:
Food and its preparation is a central organizing metaphor in Like Water for Chocolate. Discuss the symbolic significance of cooking as it is developed over the course of the novel and explain how the working out of this conceit reinforces the main message of the novel’s conclusion.
Psychological prompt:
Tradition is an indispensable force in the functioning of any human society. Without tradition, we would have to invent a meaning for each new situation. What is the role of tradition in the interactions of the De la Garza family? In Like Water for Chocolate would you describe tradition as a net force for self-actualization of the individual or for repression? What is the novel’s message regarding tradition?